Shirley man charged with trying to drown police dog

Posted on July 10, 2019

 

The State’s Attorneys Office said K-9 Rico was coughing and sluggish after the incident, but is fine now. (Photo courtesy McLean County Sheriff’s Office/ Facebook)

By Blake Haas

SHIRLEY – A man wanted on felonies in McLean County is now facing new charges of attempting to drown a police K-9.

McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage said officers went to apprehend a suspect wanted on two McLean County felony warrants at a camp site in rural Shirley, around 12:30 Monday afternoon.

When attempting to arrest Stephen Sholty, 40, of Shirley, the suspect then fled to a nearby creek.

“The subject attempted to flee in a creek, and when our K-9 was sent after him he tried to grab the K-9 and drown it in the water,” said Sandage. “The suspect was bitten and taken to (a nearby hospital) for treatment and then taken to the jail.”

Stephen Sholty appeared via video in front of Associate Judge Scott Black with a bandage across his left arm. (Photo courtesy McLean County Law and Justice Center)

Sholty appearing in front of Associate Judge Scott Black via video at the McLean County Law and Justice Center had a bandage across his left arm.

Associate Judge Scott Black set a cash bond for Sholty for $2,035.

The State’s Attorneys Office said K-9 Rico was coughing and sluggish after the incident but is fine now.

Sholty is also facing charges of resisting/obstructing/peace officer, false alarm to 911, and battery.

Sholty is due back in court July 16 at 9 a.m.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…